Check and closer for inner and outer closures



Aug. 23, m9. A. E. HILL 7 2,479,835

CHECK AND CLOSER FOR INNER AND OUTER CLOSURES File d Nov. 5, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l 'ini I I JN VEN TOR.

W- 1949 A. E. HILL 2,4793% CHECK AND CLOSER FOR INNER AND OUTER CLOSURES Filed Nov. 5, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3p 29 @QQW 23% 36 37 32 3 28 26 2423,

, v JNL'ENTO5. 40 AZZerZE/ /zZZ Patented Aug. 23, 1949 CHECKxAND .GLGSER FER BRAND OUTER CLOSURES Albert'E. Hill, Tulsa,kl a. :ApplicationNovember 5, 19%,;Serial No.558i4-12 '5 Claims.

My invention "relates :to I closers and/0r checks and closers for inner .and .outer closures. As is well known, .most outer *closures or doors for houses are provided with-an inner door forgeneral .use and an outerzdoordn the form oia screen door or a storm -'door. Frequently the screen door is a .combined-screen'and storm door, whereby the same isingposition throughout the year. As is well knowngthe inner door is usually, or at least frequently provided with a spring-actuated closer and/or acombined closer .and check. On the other .hand, theouterdoor is-conventionally provided witha coil spring for :loading the same to a closed position. In any event, it is customary to provide separate-closers and/orseparate combined checks and closersfor the inner and outer doors.

-With the foregoing in view, it .is an object of my invention to provide .a single closer .and/or.

asingle combinedicheck and-closerfor inner and outer closures .of the .class described.

A further object .is to ;;provi-de an improved closer and/or an improved combined-check and closer for inner and outer-closures of the class described, whichzcomprises-apair ofacloser arms having similar ends pivotally connected to opposed faces of the .closuresand .opposite ends, connected to springcneanssupportedrby 'said arms between the closures for loadingboth closuresto closed positions.

.Other objects and advantages .reside .in :the particular structure of the invention, combination and arrangement of-theseveralparts thereof, and will be readily under-stoodlbythose skilled inthe art upon reference .to the attached .drawings;in connection with ,the .following specification, wherein the invention shown, described am'l claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a -bottom;plan .viewxolfa pair of closures showing the device .of the invention applied thereto and-with the closures in the closed positions;

Figure2 is anelevationalview on anaenlarged scale and showing the. closer-in zthe position'occupied when the closures are open;

Figure 3 isja :plan View of the structure ..of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is-aitransverse'verticalsectional view taken on a substantially larger scale .and itaken substantially on'thegplaneaof the 'line 14-44 of Figure 3;

Figure =5 .is :a horizontal sectional :view 'ta ken substantially on :the ;plane .of ithe ;.line 5-5 or Figure 4,;parts zbemgz omitted;

Figure -6 .a .ihorizontal sectional view taken substantially ion .the plane of the line 5-45 of Figure 4;

Figure .7 .is .a .horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the;p1anes of .thelines'lfl of Fi ureri;

sFigure8 is an elevationalyiew taken substantially ontheplane oflthe.linel8-=B of Figure '7 .and

illustratinga .detail, .parts being omitted;

Figure .9 .a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken. substantially on .the .plane .of .the line 9-9.of Figure 3;

Figure is .an.,ergpl o'ded viewof oneendof :a closer. arm; showing .the;.par ts=in elevation;

Figure .11 .is a .view similar to Figure .10, but s ne th .parts plan;

Figure .12 is a bottom ,plan view showing an auxiliary attachment ifor ,one of the .closer .arms;

Figure =13 .is ,a vie-w 'lilgeIEigure 1, but showing means for .utilizing the attachment .of Figure .12.

Referring specifically .to the .drawings, wherein like reference.charaetershaveibeenused throughout .the .several .views, eto designate like parts, l4 designates any suitable janib .ior .a .pair .of .inner and .outer closures I5 and ([6. In .the .embodiment shown, .the closures l5 .and I6 comprise inner..and outer..d0ors.an'd willlbe so -referred to hereinafter. I-Iowever, .it .should be .understood that .the .device ,according .to .the invention .is adapted,to-Joe.appliedtoelosures.otherthan.doors. Thus, 'thelinner and ..outer.doors [5 .and 116 :are hingedly connected :to 'the giamb 1.4 .by hinges l1 connected to adjacentedgrgs -.of -the doors. .The axes 4515 the lhinges :11 are substantially ,parallel, but L n ra ti 2- 1 is ,wellknown, .it -is virtually impossible.itoachieueabsolute,parallelism-.whereby :a feature ,of ,the invention .to be .apparent laterisluseiul. ',The doors l5.and tiswinginopposite directions to open, as is customaryiin. inner andQuter d oi's.

.Each door mas -secured ,thereto .on the :facing surfaces..thereof amraclget 9. which is .located in iorwardly ofiset relation tQthBrhil'lg-GSJJ. Each bracket Jain-eludes ,a .pairof vertically-spaced, inwardly-directed ears :20 1, which are r spanned by any suitable or .welhlmownpivot 2 I. Each :pivot pivotally mountssadink-JZ; wherebylthelinks are swingable about axes substantially parallel -to the axes of the hinges I]. As best seenzin Figures .I-O and 1; 1, .each -painm ears 2.0 includes a floor 23 -.whioh at-;7t imes abuts ;the square -.corner 24 of the;inner,-.end 10f tthe .linkv22. g llhe effect of suchyabutment, is toipreventrrotation of thedlnk 22 about the pivot Itlsbeyoml za certain ;.point in one direction. x'llhexremaindenofnheouterend of the link 22 is formed to provide an arcuate surface 25 to permit free pivoting of the link in one direction relative to the pivot 2|. In this connection, it should be noted that although both links 22 are substantially identical, the square corners 24 and arcuate surfaces 25 of each link 22 are reversed, as best seen in Figure 3, whereby each link isfreely pivotable in opposite directions for a purpose to be described later. That is to say, the link for the door l5 may pivot from a position at right angles to the closure in a clockwise direction to a position substantially parallel to the door l5. Likewise, the link 22 for the door l6 may pivot from a. position at right angles to such door in a counterclockwise direction to a position substantially parallel to such door. However, pivoting of both links in a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction respectively is limited by the engagement of the square corners 24 with the floors 23 of the brackets to positions wherein the links project from the doors at right angles thereto or substantially at right angles thereto.

The outer end of each link 22 is formed with a pair of vertically-disposed and horizontallyspaced ears 26 which are spanned by any suitable pivot 2'? upon which is pivotally mounted the inner end of a second link 28. Each link 28 includes an outer end providing a square corner 29 and an arcuatesurface 38 which are similar to the square corners '24 and arcuate surfaces of the first-mentioned links 22. However, as illustrated in Figure 11, particularly, the square corners 29 are oppositely disposed relative to the square corners 24', as are the arcuate surfaces 38 relative to the surfaces 25. The square corners 29 of the links 28 are adapted at times to abut the floors 3| of the slots provided between the spaced ears 32 of sleeves 33. Pins 34 provide pivots spannin the ears 32 and pivotally connecting the links 28 to the sleeves 33. The axes of the pivots 34 are substantially parallel to the pivots 2|. As clearly seen in Figure 3, the square corners 29 limit pivotal movement of the links '28 relative to the sleeves 33 to positions wherein the links 28 are aligned with the sleeves 33, but permit free pivotal movement to positions wherein the links 28 extend at right angles to the sleeves 33. However, it should be noted'that the pivoting movement of the link 28 on the door I5 is limited to a counterclocl zwisev direction to the position at right angles to the sleeve 33, while the pivoting of the link 28 on the door I8 is limited to a clockwise direction relative to its sleeve 33.

The purpose of the links 22, 28, together with their pivots 2|, 2'! and 34, is to provide means to permit slight sagging of the doors I5 and 1'6 as they are swung to and from the open and closed positions.

The outer end of each sleeve 33 is axially apertured for the sliding reception therein of a closer arm 36 or 38. The closer arms are secured in longitudinally-adjusted relation relative to the sleeves 33 in any suitable manner, as by the set screws 31. The outer ends of the closer arms 38 and 38 are pivotally connected to a spring closer for the doors l5 and 16, or, as in the form illustrated, to a combined check and closer now to be described.

The combined check and closer comprises a substantially cylindrical housing 40 comprising interiorly an upper or spring compartment 4| and a lower or fluid compartment 42. The housing 40 is provided with a substantially radiallydirected lug 43 which comprises an integral extension of the closer arm 38. A shaft 44 extends axially through the housing 48 with the lower end journaled in a suitable journal 45 formed in the floor 46 of the housing, Figure 4. The shaft 44 is likewise journaled intermediate its ends in a horizontal partition 4! detachably secured to the side walls of the housing, as by being threaded thereto as shown. A sleeve 48 is axially disposed in the upper compartment 4| with the lower end thereof rotatable on the upper surface of the partition ll. The sleeve 48 likewise extends through the cover 49 for the housing 413 and includes cylindrical flange 50 which rotates atop the cover 49. The bore for the sleeve 48 provides a journal for the upper portion of the shaft 44, the free end of which extends upwardly beyond the flange 58. Such free end is non-circular and is encircled by an eye 5|, of complementary shape, formed on the inner end of the arm 36.

- Thus, arm 36 and shaft 44 operate as a unit. The

flange 58 is provided with a peripheral series of vertically-disposed threaded apertures 52 which are adapted to be selectively positioned in align-' ment with a set screw 53 carried by the arm 38. Thus, the set screw 53;is selectively engaged with one of the apertures 52, whereby to lock the arm 36 to the flange 58 in radially-adjusted relation thereto. The arm 36 likewise includes a depending extension 54 which terminates in a portion 55 which is offset relative to the arm 36. The free end of the offset portion 55 is provided with a bearing 56 which is upwardly directed and rotatably engages the outer surface 51 of the boss providing the journal 45.

The upper chamber 4| comprises a spring chamber for a vertically-disposed helical spring so. The outer end SI of the spring is readily detachably secured to the side wall of the housing 58 in any suitable manner, as by the screws 82. The inner end 63 of the spring 60 is readily detachably secured in any suitable manner, as by the set screws 84, to the sleeve 48.

It is apparent from the foregoing that the spring 68 loads the arms 36 and 38 for relative pivotal movement about the axis of the housing 48 in opposite directions. The recesses 52 in the flange 58 comprise means for adjusting the tension of the spring 60, whereby to increase or decrease the load imposed on the arms 38 and 38. Moreover, as clearly seen in Figure 1, the tension of the spring is such that the arms 36 and 38 are loaded in directions whereby they tend to be radially aligned, whereby both doors l5 and iii are loaded to the closed positions. Thus, with the parts shown in the positions of Figure 1, the doors l5 and I8 are closed and retained in such closed position by the tension of the spring 68. However, if the inner door It is opened, the arm 38 is swung in a clockwise direction, whereby to further tension the spring. During this move ment, the link 22 for the door I6 is retained at right angles to the door by the engagement of the square corner 24 thereof with the floor 23 of the bracket. However, the link 28 pivots on the pivot 34 in a counter-clockwise direction until the square corner 29 thereof seats against the floor 3| of the sleeve 33. Meanwhile, the arm 33, in addition to anchoring the opposite end of the spring 68, swings about its pivotal connection 33 with its link 28. Of course, during this movement the housing '48 as a whole moves inward to some extent with the door l6. Upon release of the door I 6, the spring 60 will return the parts to the Figure 1 position'in a well known manner. However, before the closure 26 returns, the user of asvaaas.

the: devicew-ill normally have withthe Opening of the other closure l5 where a reverse pivoting oi the parts will be achieved, and, upon release of the closure l5, both closures will return to the Figure 1 position. It is likewise possible to open both closures simultaneously, as clearly shown in Figure 3, and inthis connection it should be noted that when the closures l5 and 16 are fully opened, the arms 36 and 38 have moved past a dead center whereby the spring 60 tends to load the arms and the closures to the open position shown, thus providing means for retaining the doors in the open positions.

As so far described, the operation has been limited to the closer feature, but it should be noted that the lower compartment 42 forthe housing 40 comprises a check or buffer compartment now to be described. Thus, the shaft 44 has fixed thereon a radially-directed piston and the side wall of the chamber 42 is provided with a radially inwardly-directed abutment or wall ll providing a pair of ports 12 and 13 therethrough. Passage of fluid through the outermost port 12 may be regulated by any suitable means, such as the set screw 14, whereby the passage is enlarged or reduced. The inner passage 13 is provided with a spring-loaded ball check valve 15 of well known form. The check valve 15 is held in position by any suitable attaching plate 16, which may be suitably perforated as shown in Figure 8, and any suitable spring 11 loads the ball 15 against its seat, whereby passage of liquid through the inner passage 13 is uni-directional. It is apparent from the foregoing that as the closer arms 36 and 38 move in opposite directions relative movement is imparted to the wall 1| and piston 10 in a well known manner. As viewed in Figure '7, when the rotation of the piston 10 is in a clockwise direction, the pressure created by the piston will unseat the ball I5 and permit free passage of fluid through not only the outer passage 12, but also the inner passage 13. However, when the movement of the piston 10 is in a counter-clockwise direction, as when the door is closing, the pressure created will force the valve 15 to seat, whereby passage of the liquid through the wall H is limited to the outermost passage 12. Thus, movement of the door in a closing direction is checked and is relatively slow. However, when the door approaches the closed position, a quick closing is desired to enable the latches, not shown, of the doors to engage. Thus, the wall for the chamber 42 is cut away, as at 18, adjacent the wall ll, whereby to permit free passage of the fluid around the end of the piston 10 and permit a quick closing of the door in the last stages thereof. It follows from the foregoing that the spring 63 will load the doors l5 and IE to the closed positions, but movement to the closed positions is restricted by the check apparatus in the chamber 42.

In Figures 12 and 13, there is illustrated a structure which is adapted to be utilized when, for any reason, it is not desired to connect the closure l5 to the device. This structure comprises an auxiliary sleeve 80 which is secured to the arm 66 in place of the sleeve 33. The outer end of the sleeve BI] is bifurcated, as at 8|, and provides at the free ends of the furcations a ball socket 82 for resiliently engaging a ball pivot 83 carried by any suitable bracket 84 mounted on the upper sill of the door opening. Thus, with the sleeve 80 attached to the ball pivot 83, as shown in Figures 13 and 12, the device functions as'ausual closer and/0r combined checkcnd closer for a single door, such as the door I6.

While I have shown and described what is. now thought .tobe a preferred embodiment of, the. invention, itiis to be understood that, the same is susceptible of other forms and expressions. Consequently, I do not limit myself to the pre: cise structures shown and described hereinabove except as hereinafter claimed.

1 claim:

l 1. A closure closer for an inner and an outer closure wherein said closures are spaced and hingedly mountedon adjacent hinges having substantially' parallel axes, comprising a pair of closer arms, pivotmeans pivotally connecting like ends of each arm to opposite closures. in offset and substantially parallel relation to said axes of said hinges thereof whereby to dispose said arms between said closures substantially at right angles to said axes of said hinges, a helical spring between said closures, said spring including inner and outer ends and an axis substantially parallel to said axes of said hinges, and means operatively connecting opposite ends of said arms respectively to said inner and outer ends of said spring whereby to support the same between said closures in ofiset relation to said hinges and pivot means and load both closures toward closed positions.

2. A closure closer for an inner and an outer closure wherein said closures are spaced and hangedly mounted on adjacent hinges having substantially parallel axes, comprising a pair of closer arms, a bracket on each closure, a link means extending between each closure arm and the bracket adjacent thereto and having one end secured to one arm, pivot means pivotally conmeeting the other end of said link means to said adjacent bracket, whereby to dispose said arms between said closures substantially at right angles to said axes of said hinges, a helical spring between said closures, said spring including inner and outer ends and an axis substantially parallel to said axes of said hinges, and means operatively [connecting said arms respectively to said inner and outer ends of said spring whereby to support the same between said closures in offset relation to said hinges and pivot means and load both closures toward closed positions.

3. A closure closer for an inner and an outer closure wherein said closures are spaced and hingedly mounted on adjacent hinges having substantially parallel axes, comprising a pair of closer arms, a bracket on each closure, a sleeve on an end of each of said closure arms and carried by the latter, a link means extending between each closure arm and the bracket adjacent thereto and having one end secured to the sleeve of the closure arm adjacent thereto, pivot means pivotally connecting the other end of said link means to said adjacent bracket, whereby to dispose said arms between said closures substantially at right angles to said axes of said hinges, a helical spring between said closures, said spring including inner and outer ends and an axis substantially parallel to said axes of said hinges, and means operatively connecting said arms respectively to said inner and outer ends of said spring whereby to support the same between said closures in oifset relation to said hinges and pivot means and load both closures toward closed positions.

4. The combination with an inner closure and a spaced outer closure, wherein adjacent edges of both closures are hingedly connected to a closure awassrsv both closures are hingedly connected to a closure 10 N b frame by hinges for swinging movement in opposite directions toopensaid closures, of a single check and closer for both closures, comprising a. separate closer arrn pivoted to each closure in offset relation to said hinges, and a single'com- Joined check and closer pivotally and resiliently 8 connectingsaid arms togethe'r'betwe'en said closures. 1

e ALBERT E. HILL. 1 REFERENCES CITED The following" references are of record in the file of this' patent: UNITED STATES PATENTS Name; 7 Date 418,462 I-Ieiney Dec. 31, 1889 2,332,753 Rawlin gs Oct. 26, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Y 15 Number Country 7 Date 200,041 Germany Jtily 6, 1908 

